The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Plastic King Pin Bushings????? Help request!

I just ordred the ME175 King Pin parts from Jim Carter and didn't see the expect brass king pin bushing, but wonder what these plastic bits were. I called and asked and they said this kit was a later after market kit that used plastic bushings. Issat right??? Would you use that on your truck? I wanted to ask if you all knew about such an animule. JC of course said, just send it back and we'll give you the brass kit.

So what would you do? Anyone use the platic bits? Your wisdom greatly appreciated - o river of knowledge!

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Personally I would return them for brass. I can't imagine how long plastic sleeves would last under such pressure from the kingpin.

My motorcycle uses plastic bushings on the swingarm, where they are subjected to equivalent loads of a kingpin. The general consensus is that they suck and a lot of people replace them with brass. I would rather use brass.

Fomoco used plastic king pin bushings in F-500-700 trucks with the 7000 lbs front axle in the 1970's.They were short lived in medium truck use ,lasting about 6000 miles in school bus service.The normal steel backed soft metal (brass, bronze?) bushings lasted much longer.I can't say from actual experience how long a nylon bushings would last in a light truck use.You could install them ,and let us know if they last.

Hmmm...well...all the race bikes toss the plastic bushings too. Garunteed broken after one good track day, nevermind weekend races and practice, or an endurance race. Nothing like having the bike get the shakes, coming off the track and then being able to shift the rear swing arm back and forth about 1/4 inch. Feels good in those high speed corners (NOT) that is, after you remove seat foam from your sphincter.

I think this bit is going back. Let someone else test it out. I plan to work this old dog.

Thanks guys.

Used to run a heavy truck shop. King pin sets for class 8 trucks started coming in with plastic bushings. Tried them, didn't like em at all. found a source for brass bushings. I'd stay away from them.

I did some plastic ones on a 1/2-ton Phord once and practically ruined them trying to get the pin back in. What they thinkin'??

Also, there is a company On-line that claims to have needle bearing type, w/out bushings. Someone either on here or on my mail lists used them and were happy. Don't need any machining or anything, fits in same holes. I'ld like to try one of those sets someday. Not sure if I kept the name in my favorites or not.

I have seen them, but are for the 1/2 ton GL, otherwise I would get them. I am always one for obvious improvements. But that is a really good idea. I could take the pins and knuckles to the local bearing supply and see they got something that would work. Then have a machine shop do the bore job.

I haven't returned the plastic ones yet because I wanted to see if I needed oversize, however, if I just say poop to those, and get needle bearing could be worth it. Like I said the steering box works so smooth the wheel centers itself under its own weight. (nice to catch a break for a change) Someone should do some pioneering work. I remember on my bro's tractor he had a mower deck with a bad bearing and JD wanted $250 for it. I say screw that, go to bearing shop. He did, got one for $20, almost identical and spent about $50 having it did at the machine shop.

So far I have beat on the king pins, both the loose one and the stuck one and have made little progress. :mad: And this with nothing on front end so I could get a good swing with a 16lb sledge. A little annoying. I got some de-rusting goo on it overnight, if that doesn't make some progress, I think I will let a machine shop press em out. Heck, only 8 nuts now holding the axle on.

I am not swinging hot and heavy on the thing, but its seeing some good whacks. I am supporting the operation with a jack too. The Mezzo Forte. I will keep you all up to date on my engineering.